Saving Motorsports: RPM Act Update!

Events like HOT ROD Drag Week would be impossible if the RPM act is unsuccessful.

The last thing we’d ever imagine is a time when modifying and building racecars was in danger of becoming illegal. This is precisely what the RPM Act is protecting against. The RPM Act (Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act), ensures that it will remain legal to manufacture, sell, distribute, and install parts for a racing application that modify the emission system of a vehicle.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 advocating for the RPM Act. “The RPM Act is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation that would provide much-needed certainty to the motorsports community.” Kersting said.

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Race-specific vehicles were initially never included by Congress in the Clean Air Act, but in 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule stating the illegality of turning a motor vehicle into racecar, so long as the emission system was modified or removed altogether. This proposal was removed, yet the EPA still claims its authority over emission modifications to competition race vehicles under the Clean Air Act.

Kersting added, “The EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air act would have a devastating impact on motorsports since most racecars start life as street vehicles.” Kersting is aware of the impact if the government does move toward outlawing modifications. “It would decimate small businesses that supply the products used in motorsports, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in local revenue for communities.”

We are keeping tabs on this issue as more information unfolds. Until then, check these other stories that we’ve published pertaining to the RPM Act and get involved yourself!